Disclaimer: JKR owns the world and all the people in it of Harry Potter!!!
A/N: I finally have a beta, actually two. So, a special spiffyrific thanks to Devonny Rose and semirhage!!!!
Harry hated Halloween. It was a stupid holiday, really. Why would anyone want to dress up and go trick-or-treating anyway? And once you got all that candy you just got sick from eating too many sweets. Yes, it was a ridiculous holiday with no point whatsoever, and Harry desperately wished that he could take part.
Every year Harry was forced to hand children in bright costumes candy that he would never be allowed to have. He looked longingly at them as they ran from house to house with their friends, laughing and shouting. He wanted to do that so much, but that did not matter. He couldn't change his life, and besides, he didn't deserve to have fun with the other kids.
Oh well, at least it was interesting watching the other children. The parents who came by always talked with him and cooed over how polite he was and how they wished their children were as thoughtful as he was. Harry hated this and always turned bright red, but he didn't say anything about it.
This Halloween didn't disappoint him in the least. His Aunt Petunia took a lumbering Dudley out in his newest costume, a power ranger. Harry felt that this was a stupid idea. For some odd reason, Dudley wanted to be the red ranger. Unfortunately, Dudley was not built for the role of a power ranger and the belt didn't fit around his waist, so he carried it around like a rope and used it as a sort of weapon.
So, Aunt Petunia left with the round red ball and Uncle Vernon sat in the living room watching TV with a glance spared for Harry and the door every once in a while, just to make sure that Harry wasn't stealing any of the neighborhood kids sweets.
Everything was going like it usually did until Ms. Watson came up to the door holding a small, but excited girl's hand. Ms. Watson seemed surprised, yet happy that she got to see Harry. However, she noticed that he wasn't wearing a costume.
"Where's your costume, Harry?" she asked kindly. Harry was a little surprised at this and didn't really know how to answer it and he began to squirm in his chair.
"Um, I … well, you see, miss…" Harry began stuttering out. He didn't need to think up an excuse, though, Uncle Vernon had come up behind him and put his arm rather painfully on Harry's shoulder. Harry tried not to wince and to anyone watching the scene, they would merely see a father figure stepping in for their wayward child.
"Ah, well, I see you know young Harry, here, Ms…?" Uncle Vernon began.
"Watson. I am Harry's teacher at school. I believe I also have your son, Dudley?" Ms. Watson offered. As soon as Uncle Vernon heard who Ms. Watson was, he immediately perked up. After all, this was the woman who was given the honor of teaching his pride and joy. He stuck out his beefy hand in a gesture that would seem very generous and kind.
"Pleasure to meet you Ms. Watson. Dudley is always telling my Petunia and I what a wonderful teacher you are. I hope the boy here hasn't been causing too much trouble for you." Uncle Vernon began.
"Oh, no, no trouble at all, Mr. Dursley. Harry here is a model student. One of the brightest in the class," she beamed at Harry as he was now blushing a bright crimson. Uncle Vernon, however, was not looking so pleased.
"What about all this roof nonsense I am hearing from you people? Not such a model student anymore, is he?" Uncle Vernon looked very pleased with himself for pointing this out to what he thought was the obviously misinformed teacher. There was no way that that freak was a better student than his Dudley. Ms. Watson, though, had begun to frown at him.
"Mr. Dursley, I can assure you that all young boys get into a spot of trouble every now and then and that I still consider young Harry, here a very good student," Ms. Watson put in for Harry. Uncle Vernon was not pleased with the way the conversation was going and decided to put a stop to it.
"Well, luckily, Petunia and I will not spoil the boy after what he's done. He was not allowed to go out tonight because of it. I assure you, this is none of your business. In fact, I think that it is time that we closed our doors for tonight. Good night madam." And with that, a now very purple Uncle Vernon practically slammed the door into a very disgruntled Ms. Watson's face.
Harry cringed. He knew that when Uncle Vernon was like this he was more likely to blame it all on him and Harry was right. Uncle Vernon immediately turned on Harry and began yelling at him.
"Why you ungrateful little brat! How dare you treat us this way after all we have done for you! We have put clothes on your back and a roof over your head and you repay us like this! I should have taken you to the orphanage as soon as I set eyes upon you. You are lucky that my Petunia has such a kind heart and took you in! I bet you are sabotaging Dudley at that school! There is no way that an ungrateful whelp like you could be doing so well! Go to your cupboard, now! And count yourself lucky if you get out before you are eighteen!" Uncle Vernon hollered before Harry practically flew to his cupboard and threw himself down on his cot.
Once he was sure Uncle Vernon had stormed back to the television after turning off the porch lights which told neighborhood children that their house was not giving out candy any more, Harry buried his head into his scraggly pillow and cried. He cried because he didn't know what he did wrong. He cried because Ms. Watson was sure to hate him even more now. And he cried because he didn't have anyone to cry to. Harry fell asleep with tears still in his eyes and a heavy heart.
~*~
Harry was surprised when he was allowed to go to school on Monday. He had really thought that the Dursley's would actually keep him locked in his cupboard under the stairs until after he was eighteen. But who was he to complain?
Harry was sad, though, he wasn't allowed to do as well as Dudley anymore. Meaning he either had to do Dudley's homework and then his own only a little bit worse. Or, he could just purposely fail some homework. Harry didn't really mind, though. The less attention Ms. Watson gave to him, the better. Whenever she went on about how far along Harry was in learning his letters Dudley and his gang would always chase after him.
Harry's life was a little different, but he was still learning, just not getting recognized for it. Grades didn't matter so much to him. He knew that as long as he learned to read and write he would be fine. So Harry went on with life. Waking up, fixing toast, getting to school, pretending he was stupid, getting chased during break, eating a small lunch (if he was lucky), pretending to be stupid again, waiting behind in the classroom, missing the bus, walking home, chores, eating a small dinner, then sleeping in his cupboard under the stairs. The worst part was waking up and knowing he would have to do it all over again.
The only bright moments in his life came when he went to Mr. Snape's house. Mr. Snape could be a bit snarky at times, but Harry could ignore it. Besides, the man didn't seem to mind letting Harry work around his house for him. Harry commented one day on how empty his house seemed, though.
"Mr. Snape?" Harry began timidly, "Can I ask you something?" Mr. Snape looked at him strangely for a moment like Harry had grown an extra head. Children were supposed to be too afraid of him to ask any personal questions.
"I do not know, Mr. Potter, can you?" Mr. Snape replied in his usually sour mood.
"Sorry, sir. I meant may I ask you something?" Harry quickly reworded his question. Mr. Snape eyed him wearily not sure if he really wanted to deal with impertinent questions and on a Saturday no less.
"Very well, Mr. Potter. If you must," Mr. Snape finally gave in. Harry gathered all his courage and asked his question as quickly as he could.
"I was just wondering, sir, why – why don't you have any pictures or things around your house?" Mr. Snape, terror of the fifth Grade, and resident 'bad guy' was stunned for a moment. He had never actually had anyone critique the way he lived. Much less a five year old. Much less a five year old who he had to check up on and protect during the course of the year. The brat should be grateful to him, not asking such rude and ridiculous questions.
Harry seemed to realize at least part of what the stern man was thinking and began to cringe back and slowly walk towards the door. He had heard on a educational programming one night on the telly through his cupboard door that when meeting a dangerous and agitated wild creature to slowly back away from the animal and not make any sudden movements. Harry felt this was very good advice.
Mr. Snape seemed to be getting a handle on his emotions, however, and a little less rage could be seen in his eyes after he closed them and took a very long and deep breath. Harry stopped where he was, maybe he would actually get an explanation.
~*~
Severus knew he could not tell the Potter brat the real reason he had nothing in his house, well, at least the parts he had shown the kid. It wasn't like a fully qualified pureblood wizard actually walked around with many muggle things. His photos and portraits all moved. His small knick knacks were all magical and could be very dangerous if a muggle ever found him. Severus still kept his wizard things but put them in a locked room upstairs and charmed the room so that only someone with magical blood could see it. He was not going to tell Potter that of course. Instead, he settled for an easy lie.
"I do not choose to fill my home with such frivolous foolery, Mr. Potter. You will not find anything of this nature in my home because it is completely ridiculous and unnecessary and I will not have it," he ranted for a bit. Well, part of it was true. Why would he ever want some stupid muggle invention?
The boy seemed to understand what Severus had said to some point, but many of his words were obviously confusing the boy. Severus was only too happy to let the insufferable brat leave very quickly after that. Merlin knew the only reasons he let him come on Saturdays was too keep an eye on him like Albus wanted and at least he tried to do something useful. Plus, it was always satisfying having the mighty James Potter's weakling son work in his home.
~~~~~
Thanks so much for reading! Especially my reviewers:
Shezan- I know what you mean, I can't stand it when Snape all of the sudden is like, I love Harry, he is the son I never had! I don't think he'd be all like that, at least at first.
Devonny Rose- Thanks so very very much for being my beta!!!
Gina – Yes, he can be!
Azntgr01 – yeah, I think a lot of people were expecting the mouse to be wormtail!
Callas-and-ivy – sorry about any confusion, I will try not to be so jumpy in the future!!!
Jessyka – sorry it was too short, I am trying to make my chapters longer!
Kenny7 – well, a lot of people only see what they want to.
Kady Rilla Wholi – because he doesn't want to see it.
Ntamara – thanks! I am so glad you like my pov for snape!
Barbaa Kennedy – so am i!
Felinity – I dunno, yes, snape is blind as a bat when it comes to poor harry!
Kateri1 – thanks!!!
Howlingwolf1 – thanks! I hope you liked this chapter!
Chyna16 – you can go around up to three weeks without food but shorter if there is no water. Plus, I think that harry is old enough to know how to sneak out of his cupboard to get some food. In the Sorcerers Stone on p.29 of the American version, Vernon says "'Go-cupboard-stay-no meals,'" then it goes on to mention that that night Harry was waiting for the Dursleys to go to sleep before he snuck out for food.
ProphetessofHearts – I would, but I think that would be an easy way out of the story. Harry wasn't really physically abused by the dursleys, and I am trying to make this story go with the way that I take it they treated him from the books. I wish I could though!
Cally – yeah, thanks! Sev is treating harry kind of like a house elf, but I think house elves are treated worse!
Missy Black – Thanks, I hope you liked my thoughts on why the house was so bare, remember the room…
Ping*pong5 – thanks! Yep, snape will eventually get inside harry's house!
Samara-chan – Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!
Witchchild – thanks!!! I am so glad that you found this!!!
Kristendotcom – I'm glad you like it, I am trying to keep some of the events the book said happened in the story!
Anora – thanks! Also thanks for sending another person my way! Hope you like my newest chapter!!!
Amber16 – Same thing happened to me on thanksgiving. My mom went nuts cuz she said it was a family holiday not a guys sit around all day watching other guys throw each other down day. Glad you liked it!
Wanderingwolf – you'll just have to read to find out!
Harry's Muggle Sister – Glad you liked the mouse. Snape doesn't wonder. He's clueless about how children act, and thinks he is getting his due from that potter brat!
Shortnsassy – yep, he is soooo blind!!!
Eva McGregor – thanks! I know, I was sooo tempted to make him do that, but I don't think harry would have…
Aerhiana – thanks!
AJ-Wolf-AJ – yeah, he probably will!!
Molly Morrison – thanks! Suspense is wonderful!
Watcher Tale Neith – Yeah, that would!!!
Ahappyjtm – thanks for the virtual cheesecake, it was delicious! Glad ya like it!
Gaina Katrea – thanks. Yeah, because snape didn't actually come to harry's neighborhood when harry was five!
Silver Point Despair – glad you like it!!!
Prd2bAmerican18 – hope you like this chapter!
Misao-werewolf – thanks so so so very mch for putting me on your favorites list!!!
Tati1 – thanks!
Badassgothicgirl – thanks!!!
Lady shinigami2 – yes, of course I will finish! Once I start something I will finish it!!!
Melissa – thanks! I'm glad you like them!
Arafel2 – thanks!!!
GoddessMoonLady – thanks! This chapter explained the bareness!!!
Wynjara – haha! I think that he is just naturally cranky as well!
Angel74 – thanks! I'm glad you think so!
Daintress – you will just have to wait and see how it all unfolds!!! Thanks for the review!
Lindiel Eryn – Thanks for the review! Is there anything specific that tells you I am a young writer? In other words: what can I improve upon?
Well, thanks so much to everybody, please review to tell me what you think!
